RE: Commitable vs noncommitable college offers

ffanatic...

I'm sure people will chime in with more knowledge than myself, and I hope they do ! It's imperative high school players and families know the difference....

A 'non-commitable' offer is essentially nothing more than a verbal or written statement of "interest". A player may get 30,40,50 of these "offers", but really they aren't "offers" at all. They are "offers" of interest, and on "conditions" (attend our camp, we need to see you in person, keep your grades up, stay out of trouble, continue to improve on and off the field, the list goes on and on). Many times players and families confuse these "offers" as actual/binding scholarship oppourtunites, when in fact, they are NOT. A player may get 30-40 of these, it will boost their "rating" to a 3-4 star recruit, other schools jump on board to throw their hat into the ring, to have a chance at that potential recruit, but essentially they are not "actual/binding" offers, (in most cases, and if they are not yet a Senior they are not "true" offers in ALL cases-NOTHING is binding until National Signing Day) A "committable" offer can ONLY be offered until Aug./Sept. of the players Senior season. A "committable" offer is basically a done deal (we've seen enough, know enough about you, are offering you a scholarship, all you have to do is say YES, and sign a LOI (Letter of Intent) on National Signing Day (or after-usually the second week in Feb. of their Senior year). There is so much information out there that high school recruits need to be aware of, so as not to be mislead, and in the end, perhaps disappointed. There is a good article in the News & Observer (Fri. 5/16/14) of how this happened this week to an area player. Hope this helps, and I'm sure others have input as well...would love to hear it and learn more myself !

RE: Commitable vs noncommitable college offers

Getting a letter in the mail or handed to you by a coach at your school with your name on it...Is 9.99 times out of 10, not an offer.

I had the opportunity over a number of years to be highly involved in this process and I can tell you from first hand experience that OFFERS - real OFFERS occurred under very controlled and organized parameters. In most cases - it occurred with the HEAD FOOTBALL COACH either talking on the phone or in person specifically offering the student-athlete. Yes, there were times that an assistant coach, the coach recruiting the area would extend an offer on behalf of the head coach, but in the vast majority of situations, the head coach was involved to some extent.

I'll add that when this occurred, in some cases the head coach would then let you know that a letter (official letter) would be drafted describing the offer and be provided to the student-athlete and family. If this was not discussed, I suggested that the student-athlete/family request this letter. The letter moves the offer from an "official verbal" offer to an "official written" offer. In some cases, I've seen the written offer not be extended. In some cases that should tell you that the offer isn't has "solid". I'll add that the written offer would typically have clear language in about the offer. For instance, if your grades dropped from where they were at, the written offer could be rescinded.

Big point here is the following. If you aren't 100% sure that you've been offered - then you probably haven't. It should be very clear. And when I say very clear, at the FBS level, that means it should be very clear that if you accept this offer, school is paid for next year if you do what you need to do. That is a substantial potential commitment from a school and thus should come across as significant to the student-athlete/family. This is slightly different at the FBS level where partial scholarships occur.

college recruting and offers

Student-athletes will get a ton of mail - but that mail is primarily interest and in most cases falls into a ton of other categories that aren't necessarily individual interest.

I won't go into all of the angles of why I think much of this mail goes out, but suffice it to say that there aren't unlimited folks to recruit for a school and it's good to be always perceived as interested and visible at every high school that may or may not have athletes in a given year and in years to come.

Regarding "commitable" offers. If someone is officially offered, see my earlier post. Then at the time of the offer, it's imperative for the student-athlete, their family or the HS coach involved to inquire the details of the offer. Point is don't assume that if you really are offered - see earlier post - that the offer means the same thing for every school, every situation, it likely does not.

It is also likely, unless you are a top prospect that the offer isn't going to exist for certain until signing day. You should check and if possible get whatever is told to you in writing - see written offer in earlier post.

RE: Commitable vs noncommitable college offers

Durham...EXCELLENT information !!! Isn't it true as well that an official "commit able/written offer goes through the parents-then h.s. coach FIRST ?!....and as you said a commitable offer will be VERY clear...and can not officially be extended until Aug/Sept of a players Senior year...and even more NOTHING is binding until singing LOI on NSD in Feb. of Senior year. Share all the info you can !

RE: Commitable vs noncommitable college offers

@akabulldog.

Isn't it true as well that an official "commit able/written offer goes through the parents-then h.s. coach FIRST.

In my experience, No, this has not always been the case. Situations where the parents/guardians are very involved, then yes. But I had situations where I was the individual that was with the student-athlete where all of this took place in lieu of the parents/guardians. At some point afterward, either through a letter that was addressed to the student-athlete or something sent to their residence, the parents/guardians also received the information. I don't know that there is exactly a set protocol of this might take place for all FBS, FCS or D-II schools. I think the point is that a written offer with have the student-athletes name on it. It will typically be signed by the head coach or an assistant and it will in words spell out what has just been offered. It will also detail what type of things in a general sense you as a student-athlete can do that would allow the offer to not exist anymore. For example - your grades begin to suffer.